Movember pledges AUD 59.5 million to improving the health and wellbeing of Indigenous men around the world

The Movember Institute of Men's Health is stoked to announce a AUD$59.5 million investment into the health and wellbeing of Indigenous communities across Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, Canada, and the USA. With the launch of its Indigenous Social and Emotional Wellbeing Initiatives, which is set to combat the health inequalities faced by Indigenous men through holistic community-driven approaches.

The sad reality is that right now, Indigenous men around the world remain disproportionately affected by poor physical and mental health; experiencing higher rates of chronic disease, mental ill-health, mortality and substance misuse. They die by suicide at twice the rate of non-Indigenous men.

To achieve better health outcomes, we must prioritise social and emotional wellbeing.

Sonia Prevost-Derbecker, the Global Director of Movember's Indigenous Portfolio notes that “social and emotional wellbeing is a term embraced by many Indigenous people and communities around the world. It's a holistic view of health that acknowledges the intricate connection that people have with land, sea, culture, spirituality, kin, and community – as well as the enduring effects of Indigenous history and politics."

“We know that Indigenous culture, identity, and self-determination play a pivotal role in safeguarding Indigenous people from psychological distress. By nurturing social and emotional wellbeing, and by developing more programs and services rooted in Indigenous culture and grounded in holistic health principles, we can support healing and improved health outcomes for generations to come."

Movember's commitment to improving health outcomes for men has led to an extensive exploration of the Indigenous men’s health landscape in four countries globally. Previous work in these regions has provided compelling evidence of the transformative health outcomes achievable through collaborative partnerships with Indigenous communities and organisations. Empowering them to design and deliver health strategies tailored to their local communities, has been key to their success.

Here are a few great examples.

In Australia

The Glen is an Aboriginal community-controlled drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre located on the Central Coast of New South Wales. It’s designed to treat men holistically, with a mix of educational support, physical exercise, and specialised counselling services — covering grief and trauma, financial issues, gambling addiction, parenting challenges, and anger management. Their Movember-funded 'Cultural Warriors Program' adopts Indigenous culture and values throughout, creating a safe environment for First Nations men to reclaim agency over their health and cultural heritage.

In Aotearoa New Zealand

Projects like Te Rarawa Anga Mua’s 'Te Oho Ake (Awakening) and ‘Far North Daddy's Club',are dedicated to nurturing the social and emotional wellbeing of Te Rarawa whānau, hapū, and iwi throughout New Zealand. They offer participants a variety of social services that cover family, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, early years, school and employment, and health promotion. Providing a unique opportunity for Māori men and fathers to come together, share experiences, and support each other in their journey towards improved mental wellbeing and personal growth.

In Canada

Work 2 Give is an Indigenous-led, Indigenous-focused program that gives incarcerated men an opportunity to give back to Indigenous communities, through the creation and donation of handmade items such as tiny homes, garden beds, picnic tables, drums and more. This practice of giving back is core to Work 2 Give’s mission. It's a way to restore balance in Indigenous men’s lives while addressing the need for meaningful work while imprisoned.

In the USA

The Kalihi Valley Instructional Bike Exchange (KVIBE) program in Hawaii that engages Pacific Islander young men and boyswithin the community through various activities like bike repair workshops, mentoring, field trips, community events, and Mālama ʻĀina - fostering connection to and caring for land. It’s a safe and supportive environment where young men develop leadership skills, positive self-identity, and a deeper connection to their traditional Hawaiian and Pacific Islander culture. KVIBE empowers participants to become leaders within their community, fostering personal growth and development along the way.

Movember welcomes interested parties to register their Expressions of Interest (EOI) at Movember.com/about/funding.